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Hello, I'd like your opinion

S

Spinner

New Member
Hi everyone! I'm a 37-year-old woman currently being assessed to try and understand the cause of numerous issues I've had throughout my life. Autism is possible and there is one particular behaviour I'd like people's opinion on in case there is possibly a different reason for it than autism. The behaviour is spinning. Since I was young enough to have memories I have been spinning. I spin from side to side, back and forth, usually for about an hour/two hours at a time. I like to have music playing while I do it, I like the room to be dark and I like to be alone (I did it once at school when I was about eight and everyone thought it was weird and laughed etc, so I always made sure I was alone after that). I have done this pretty much every day for my whole life. I keep it a secret.

I also bite my hand. It's scarred because of it although I don't mind it. I do it when I'm happy or excited, or when I'm frustrated. I don't even mean to do it most of the time, it's like a reflex, it just happens.

Does anyone know of any other 'disorder' or reason a person might do this other than autism?

Thanks.
 
To me, it sounds like stimming. Might be interesting for you to read more about. It’s common symptom of, but not exclusive to, autism.
 
Hello and welcome! I’m glad you have found us and I hope you spend some time exploring the forum and seeing where your experiences in life are similar to some of ours.

There are many threads here on stimming and I would be curious to see how much you can relate. It was very validating for me to join this forum and realize some of my seemingly unique ways of dealing with strong emotions were not so unique at all and many folks here were the same.

Let us know if you need any help finding your way around the forum.
 
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Spinner said:
Hi everyone! I'm a 37-year-old woman currently being assessed to try and understand the cause of numerous issues I've had throughout my life. Autism is possible and there is one particular behaviour I'd like people's opinion on in case there is possibly a different reason for it than autism. The behaviour is spinning. Since I was young enough to have memories I have been spinning. I spin from side to side, back and forth, usually for about an hour/two hours at a time. I like to have music playing while I do it, I like the room to be dark and I like to be alone (I did it once at school when I was about eight and everyone thought it was weird and laughed etc, so I always made sure I was alone after that). I have done this pretty much every day for my whole life. I keep it a secret.

I also bite my hand. It's scarred because of it although I don't mind it. I do it when I'm happy or excited, or when I'm frustrated. I don't even mean to do it most of the time, it's like a reflex, it just happens.

Does anyone know of any other 'disorder' or reason a person might do this other than autism?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
Oh, you sweet person. I used to spin but lost the habit. Nowadays my lovely granddaughter will sometimes spin for me and I love to watch. I'm glad for you that you have kept this treasure into adult life. Spin on.
 
I love spinning, also love swinging at the elementary school playground. I did a lot of skating as a young adult. I enjoy rocking now in a recliner when l feel agitated. It's soothing, and beats eating the ends of my hair which just popped up on my stim radar. Maybe get a chew toy for teething and bite thar instead of your hand perhaps? They have teething toys for infants, who knows they may have for adults. You can also take a small towel, lightly mist it, throw in the freezer, and bite on that perhaps?
 
That sounds like a stimming tactic. I do that all the time at home it makes me feel comfortable. It helps to calm me down and relives my nerves. You never know what type of condition you might have. I think it could be helpful to try and seek a diagnosis. Those help to answer your questions and concerns. Hope this helps.
 
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